North Western (Glory Days)

The latest addition to our successful 'Glory Days' series covers the history of North Western, for which, more than three decades after it disappeared as a major operator, there is still considerable nostalgia amongst both enthusiasts and those who used its services. Many remember the familiar sight of red and cream, North Western buses on both the urban routes in the Greater Manchester area as well as its more rural services in the Peak District and elsewhere. Incorporated in April 1923, the North Western Road Car Company was ultimately to become one of the most important bus operators in Manchester, Cheshire and the Peak District. Initially, part owned by both BET and the Tilling Group, it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of BET during World War II when the jointly owned bus assets of Tilling and BET were divided between the two companies. With the formation of the National Bus Company in 1969, unlike other NBC subsidiaries, North Western's existence was relatively short. With the creation of the SELNEC (later Greater Manchester) PTE, the decision was taken to transfer to the PTE, North Western's stage carriage services within their area. Remaining North Western services were transferred to other NBC subsidiaries. As a result, North Western effectively ceased to exist in 1972 although the name lingered on until 1974 when its coaching interests were transferred to National Travel. In his first book for Ian Allan Publishing for some two decades, transport historian and photographer Ted Jones narrates the history of North Western from its inception through to its ultimate demise in the early 1970s, creating a fascinating portrait of the operator and its fleet over almost half a century.